Universities at a Crossroads: State Power, Academic Freedom, and the Future of Higher Education in Georgia
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A far-reaching restructuring of higher education is unfolding in Georgia, raising urgent questions about university autonomy, academic freedom, access, and international engagement. This Global Public Seminar in Comparative and International Education brings together leading scholars and engaged public voices to examine the political logic behind the reform, its practical consequences for institutions, students, and staff, and its wider implications for democratic life. While grounded in the Georgian case, the discussion will resonate with audiences worldwide facing similar tensions between state control and institutional independence.
Event Details
Monday 16 March 2026
15:00 - 16:00
Online
Public
Global Public Seminars in Comparative and International Education
Department of Education
Event Speakers
Lela Chakhaia
Education Researcher, Lecturer at Ilia State University, Georgia
George (Gota) Chanturia
PhD Candidate in Education Science at Eastern European University, Georgia, co-founder of the Movement for Social Democracy
Rusudan Chanturia
Education, Gender and Inclusion Specialist (PhD), ACT Global, Georgia
Marine Chitashvili
Professor of Psychology, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Georgia
Hans Gutbrod
Professor, Ilia State University, Georgia
Simon Janashia
Education Specialist, Co-founder of the political party Freedom Square, Georgia
Stephen F Jones
Professor of Modern Georgian History, Ilia State University, Georgia / Founder and Former Director, Program in Georgian Studies, Davis Center of Russian and Eurasian Studies, Harvard University, USA / Professor Emeritus, Russian and Eurasian Studies, Mount Holyoke College, USA
Keti Tsotniashvili
Associate Professor of Education Policy, Ilia State University, Georgia